Seems that the Bosch electric mower has emitted a few too many sparks. I
might be able to fix it, but just in case I can't I'm considering buying a
petrol mower before I need to hire a combine harvester!

Looking at various models, most seem to be very loud - about 96dB, so are
there any less loud ones?
I don't want self-propelled as the grass (about 250 sq. m) is in 5 parts and
rather, er, 'complex'.
The electric Bosch cuts almost right up to an edge - wall or path - and I'd
like one that does the same, if petrol ones can.
Also don't want too big; this leads to the old problem of smaller machines
lacking abilities as they are seen as 'cheap', so 40cm would be tops I
guess.

What seems to be a good make, reliable and has a reasonable warranty? Up to
a sensible limit I don't mind how much I spend gulp.
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

PeterC wrote

Seems that the Bosch electric mower has emitted a few too many sparks.
I might be able to fix it, but just in case I can't I'm considering buying
a
petrol mower before I need to hire a combine harvester!

You don't use a combine harvester, just a tractor based mower.

Looking at various models, most seem to be very
loud - about 96dB, so are there any less loud ones?

I don't want self-propelled as the grass (about 250 sq. m)
is in 5 parts and rather, er, 'complex'.

The electric Bosch cuts almost right up to an edge - wall or
path - and I'd like one that does the same, if petrol ones can.

Also don't want too big; this leads to the old problem of smaller machines
lacking abilities as they are seen as 'cheap', so 40cm would be tops I
guess.

What seems to be a good make, reliable and has a reasonable warranty?
Up to a sensible limit I don't mind how much I spend gulp.

On Fri, 3 Aug 2012 09:47:24 +0100, PeterC
wrote:

Seems that the Bosch electric mower has emitted a few too many sparks. I
might be able to fix it, but just in case I can't I'm considering buying a
petrol mower before I need to hire a combine harvester!

Looking at various models, most seem to be very loud - about 96dB, so are
there any less loud ones?
I don't want self-propelled as the grass (about 250 sq. m) is in 5 parts and
rather, er, 'complex'.
The electric Bosch cuts almost right up to an edge - wall or path - and I'd
like one that does the same, if petrol ones can.
Also don't want too big; this leads to the old problem of smaller machines
lacking abilities as they are seen as 'cheap', so 40cm would be tops I
guess.

What seems to be a good make, reliable and has a reasonable warranty? Up to
a sensible limit I don't mind how much I spend gulp.

I have a Honda Izy - self propelled but they are available in push
versions - and the documented dB is 94. It has been very reliable
throughout the last ten years, but it, like all other domestic,
wheeled, petrol rotary will not mow right up to the edge. Because the
lack of this facility was beginning to irritate me earlier this year I
contacted Honda and Hayter to ask if they were intending to rectify
this shortcoming in the foreseeable future and was told that current
design constraints did not allow for cutting heads to be wider than
the wheel tracks. I ended up buying a good Stihl rechargeable
strimmer for edging.
--
rbel

On 03/08/2012 09:47, PeterC wrote:
Seems that the Bosch electric mower has emitted a few too many sparks. I
might be able to fix it, but just in case I can't I'm considering buying a
petrol mower before I need to hire a combine harvester!

Looking at various models, most seem to be very loud - about 96dB, so are
there any less loud ones?

Most petrol mowers with a B&S motor, concentrate much of the noise into
the lower ranges of the audio spectrum, so while they are loud they are
not particularly hard on the ears (or the neighbours). Far less
unpleasant to work with than say a two stroke garden tool that may emit
the same level of noise in dBA terms.

I don't want self-propelled as the grass (about 250 sq. m) is in 5 parts and
rather, er, 'complex'.
The electric Bosch cuts almost right up to an edge - wall or path - and I'd
like one that does the same, if petrol ones can.

No reason why not...

Also don't want too big; this leads to the old problem of smaller machines
lacking abilities as they are seen as 'cheap', so 40cm would be tops I
guess.

Might be a tad on the small size for that area of lawn.

Things to think about...

for that sized mower 3.5hp will be fine for either collecting or cutting
and dropping. If you want to mulch then you will need double the power
to do it well.

Easy height adjustment is worth having - some need you to tweak the
setting on each wheel individually. Some have a leaver that does the
whole deck in one hit.

Something that has loads of airflow through it, and preferably a manual
throttle so you can up the revs when the grass is damp and you want
effective collection.

What seems to be a good make, reliable and has a reasonable warranty? Up to
a sensible limit I don't mind how much I spend gulp.

Had my Hayter Harrier 41 for about 18 years... its had one oil change
since new and that was about its only engine maintenance. Its on its
third plastic undertray though (they fatigue near where the real wheels
attach). Airflow not really good enough, and no throttle control on
mine. So I don't think I would buy the same model again. Having said
that the engine is good. Starts easily even after a winter in a cold
shed etc.



--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On Fri, 03 Aug 2012 13:31:12 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

PeterC wrote:
Seems that the Bosch electric mower has emitted a few too many sparks. I
might be able to fix it, but just in case I can't I'm considering buying a
petrol mower before I need to hire a combine harvester!

Looking at various models, most seem to be very loud - about 96dB, so are
there any less loud ones?
I don't want self-propelled as the grass (about 250 sq. m) is in 5 parts and
rather, er, 'complex'.
The electric Bosch cuts almost right up to an edge - wall or path - and I'd
like one that does the same, if petrol ones can.
Also don't want too big; this leads to the old problem of smaller machines
lacking abilities as they are seen as 'cheap', so 40cm would be tops I
guess.

What seems to be a good make, reliable and has a reasonable warranty? Up to
a sensible limit I don't mind how much I spend gulp.

If you have a small area and don't mind a simple rotary you can have my
old hayterette. its a rotary on wheels and still goes well - but needs
new cutting disk fitted as it eaten one too many stones in the last 14
years.

You have to raise it up on its back wheels and lower it onto really long
stuff tho or it stalls. Only a 3.5bhp B & S in it.

Better made than modern ones.

Thanks TNP. If circumstances were different I'd be very interested - I like
older machines and working on them.
It's a bit far from Norfolk(?) to Northampton; my neighbour is not
mechanically minded (she's OK just using machines and likes them); most
importantly I want to replace the Bosch quickly so that she has a mower as
I'm due for cardioversion at the end of next week and I might be making the
grass grow even more quickly!
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

On Fri, 03 Aug 2012 18:14:50 +0100, rbel wrote:

On Fri, 3 Aug 2012 09:47:24 +0100, PeterC
wrote:

Seems that the Bosch electric mower has emitted a few too many sparks. I
might be able to fix it, but just in case I can't I'm considering buying a
petrol mower before I need to hire a combine harvester!

Looking at various models, most seem to be very loud - about 96dB, so are
there any less loud ones?
I don't want self-propelled as the grass (about 250 sq. m) is in 5 parts and
rather, er, 'complex'.
The electric Bosch cuts almost right up to an edge - wall or path - and I'd
like one that does the same, if petrol ones can.
Also don't want too big; this leads to the old problem of smaller machines
lacking abilities as they are seen as 'cheap', so 40cm would be tops I
guess.

What seems to be a good make, reliable and has a reasonable warranty? Up to
a sensible limit I don't mind how much I spend gulp.

I have a Honda Izy - self propelled but they are available in push
versions - and the documented dB is 94. It has been very reliable
throughout the last ten years, but it, like all other domestic,
wheeled, petrol rotary will not mow right up to the edge. Because the
lack of this facility was beginning to irritate me earlier this year I
contacted Honda and Hayter to ask if they were intending to rectify
this shortcoming in the foreseeable future and was told that current
design constraints did not allow for cutting heads to be wider than
the wheel tracks. I ended up buying a good Stihl rechargeable
strimmer for edging.

Honda could do the same as Bosch then - make the wheel track narroer than
the cutter ;-)
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 01:52:40 +0100, John Rumm wrote:

Also don't want too big; this leads to the old problem of smaller machines
lacking abilities as they are seen as 'cheap', so 40cm would be tops I
guess.

Might be a tad on the small size for that area of lawn.

Trouble is the lawn isn't "that size", it's in bits and has bushes and other
obstacles, so using a bigger mower would be very tiring. Same goes for
self-propelled - it'd be a nuisance in the many tight spots.

Things to think about...

for that sized mower 3.5hp will be fine for either collecting or cutting
and dropping. If you want to mulch then you will need double the power
to do it well.

Easy height adjustment is worth having - some need you to tweak the
setting on each wheel individually. Some have a leaver that does the
whole deck in one hit.

The Bosch has been on the same setting since new: lowest acceptable for the
roughest part and don't worry about the rest.

Something that has loads of airflow through it, and preferably a manual
throttle so you can up the revs when the grass is damp and you want
effective collection.

What seems to be a good make, reliable and has a reasonable warranty? Up to
a sensible limit I don't mind how much I spend gulp.

Had my Hayter Harrier 41 for about 18 years... its had one oil change
since new and that was about its only engine maintenance. Its on its
third plastic undertray though (they fatigue near where the real wheels
attach). Airflow not really good enough, and no throttle control on
mine. So I don't think I would buy the same model again. Having said
that the engine is good. Starts easily even after a winter in a cold
shed etc.

I'd be happy to spend this sort of money - what do you think about this
one?:
http://www.justlawnmowers.co.uk/lawn.../product52.htm
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

PeterC wrote:
On Fri, 03 Aug 2012 13:31:12 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

PeterC wrote:
Seems that the Bosch electric mower has emitted a few too many sparks. I
might be able to fix it, but just in case I can't I'm considering buying a
petrol mower before I need to hire a combine harvester!

Looking at various models, most seem to be very loud - about 96dB, so are
there any less loud ones?
I don't want self-propelled as the grass (about 250 sq. m) is in 5 parts and
rather, er, 'complex'.
The electric Bosch cuts almost right up to an edge - wall or path - and I'd
like one that does the same, if petrol ones can.
Also don't want too big; this leads to the old problem of smaller machines
lacking abilities as they are seen as 'cheap', so 40cm would be tops I
guess.

What seems to be a good make, reliable and has a reasonable warranty? Up to
a sensible limit I don't mind how much I spend gulp.
If you have a small area and don't mind a simple rotary you can have my
old hayterette. its a rotary on wheels and still goes well - but needs
new cutting disk fitted as it eaten one too many stones in the last 14
years.

You have to raise it up on its back wheels and lower it onto really long
stuff tho or it stalls. Only a 3.5bhp B & S in it.

Better made than modern ones.

Thanks TNP. If circumstances were different I'd be very interested - I like
older machines and working on them.
It's a bit far from Norfolk(?)

West Suffolk..past Cambridge and turn right so to speak..

to Northampton; my neighbour is not
mechanically minded (she's OK just using machines and likes them); most
importantly I want to replace the Bosch quickly so that she has a mower as
I'm due for cardioversion at the end of next week and I might be making the
grass grow even more quickly!


Ah I did see a Hayter with ELECTRIC STaRT and some self propel
capability which has to be the luxury end of things but around 600 notes.

As one gets older pull starting and the old high blood pressure dont mix.

Frankly though a 'man' can be obtained for reasonable money compared
with buying storing and maintaining a mower..



--
To people who know nothing, anything is possible.
To people who know too much, it is a sad fact
that they know how little is really possible -
and how hard it is to achieve it.

On 04/08/2012 09:22, PeterC wrote:
On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 01:52:40 +0100, John Rumm wrote:

Had my Hayter Harrier 41 for about 18 years... its had one oil change
since new and that was about its only engine maintenance. Its on its
third plastic undertray though (they fatigue near where the real wheels
attach). Airflow not really good enough, and no throttle control on
mine. So I don't think I would buy the same model again. Having said
that the engine is good. Starts easily even after a winter in a cold
shed etc.

I'd be happy to spend this sort of money - what do you think about this
one?:
http://www.justlawnmowers.co.uk/lawn.../product52.htm

Yup that looks like a good fit for your spec. Honda engines are first
rate and never seem to give much difficulty (probably why the hire shops
like Honda powered stuff so much).

Note that they say its ideal for lawns up to "half a tennis court" in
area - so about 130m^2. Depends a bit on how much actual grass is in
your 250m^2 - however its probably less than a couple of km to walk if
you are emptying it.




--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 10:27:17 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

Ah I did see a Hayter with ELECTRIC STaRT and some self propel
capability which has to be the luxury end of things but around 600 notes.

Too big for here. If all of the grass was in one area it'd be much easier.

As one gets older pull starting and the old high blood pressure dont mix.

Not a problem for me - my blood pressure (at 65) is OK for a fit 40-yo. I
just need to remember not to pull really hard when I'm too close to a rustic
brick wall - it do exfoliate the skin a bit!

Frankly though a 'man' can be obtained for reasonable money compared
with buying storing and maintaining a mower..

I'd rather spend it on a woman.
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 17:12:01 +0100, John Rumm wrote:

On 04/08/2012 09:22, PeterC wrote:
On Sat, 04 Aug 2012 01:52:40 +0100, John Rumm wrote:

Had my Hayter Harrier 41 for about 18 years... its had one oil change
since new and that was about its only engine maintenance. Its on its
third plastic undertray though (they fatigue near where the real wheels
attach). Airflow not really good enough, and no throttle control on
mine. So I don't think I would buy the same model again. Having said
that the engine is good. Starts easily even after a winter in a cold
shed etc.

I'd be happy to spend this sort of money - what do you think about this
one?:
http://www.justlawnmowers.co.uk/lawn.../product52.htm

Yup that looks like a good fit for your spec. Honda engines are first
rate and never seem to give much difficulty (probably why the hire shops
like Honda powered stuff so much).

Note that they say its ideal for lawns up to "half a tennis court" in
area - so about 130m^2. Depends a bit on how much actual grass is in
your 250m^2 - however its probably less than a couple of km to walk if
you are emptying it.

Governing factor is the green bins. I have a heap of stuff to go in and with
the wet 'Summer' there's too much every fortnight for 2 bins.

I'll get the Honda. Any suggestions as to source? It's about £240 on Amazon
and there are a couple of places at £285 but I know nothing about them.
Machine Mart is £250.
http://www.justhonda.co.uk/pages/product52.htm
http://www.justlawnmowers.co.uk/lawn.../product52.htm
(I think that these 2 might be related/the same).

--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

On Sun, 5 Aug 2012 12:54:12 +0100, PeterC
wrote:


I'll get the Honda. Any suggestions as to source? It's about £240 on Amazon
and there are a couple of places at £285 but I know nothing about them.
Machine Mart is £250.
http://www.justhonda.co.uk/pages/product52.htm
http://www.justlawnmowers.co.uk/lawn.../product52.htm
(I think that these 2 might be related/the same).

I have been getting all my garden kit from Radmore & Tucker in Exeter
(on Frog Street) for years and they now have a web order facility -
http://www.radmoretucker.co.uk/about.html

They are a reputable company specialising in selling and servicing
commercial and domestic gardening and arboricultural equipment with
franchises from virtually all the major equipment manufacturers.
--
rbel

On Sun, 05 Aug 2012 17:58:16 +0100, rbel wrote:

On Sun, 5 Aug 2012 12:54:12 +0100, PeterC
wrote:


I'll get the Honda. Any suggestions as to source? It's about £240 on Amazon
and there are a couple of places at £285 but I know nothing about them.
Machine Mart is £250.
http://www.justhonda.co.uk/pages/product52.htm
http://www.justlawnmowers.co.uk/lawn.../product52.htm
(I think that these 2 might be related/the same).

First of all: typo - should have been £340 on Amazon, otherwise...

I have been getting all my garden kit from Radmore & Tucker in Exeter
(on Frog Street) for years and they now have a web order facility -
http://www.radmoretucker.co.uk/about.html

They are a reputable company specialising in selling and servicing
commercial and domestic gardening and arboricultural equipment with
franchises from virtually all the major equipment manufacturers.

Well, I like the site: easy to find the item and quick to load.
Price is good; delivery even better :-)
I am a bit wary of the 2 sites that I posted as they are so similar in
offers, pricing etc. and I often wonder about the ethos of one business
having many pseudo-outlets - but I know why they do it.

I value genuine recommendations made in this group so I'll ring Radmore and
place an order. Thank you.
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway